Prayer for Vocations

Heavenly Father,
Bless our diocese with the grace of many vocations to the priesthood and religious life.
Through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, grant those You have called the willingness and generosity of spirit to give themselves
in devoting their lives and their talents to the service of our Lord and to His Church.
Increase the faith of everyone in our diocese, and particularly the Faith
of those You have called and will continue to call.
We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

A SPIRITUALITY OF GLADNESS

Easter is a season of joy. Why is it that problems, troubles, and worries usually get centre stage in the spiritual life? Why is joy a neglected part of prayer? Most of us surely do enough complaining and beseeching of God when things don't go our way. How can we balance our requests and wants with thanksgiving and joy? One way I've found to nurture a spirituality of gladness is by remembrance. Each day before closing my eyes for sleep, I look back over the day that is ending. No matter how troublesome the day has been, I recover my joy by asking: "What is one thing in this day for which I can be glad?"

There is always something that can bring joy. Maybe I managed to get through the day without any physical or emotional discomfort. Maybe it was a kind word, a comforting thought, a little hug, or an unexpected bird winging by. Sometimes I discover in remembrance that I missed the day's happy moments because I was overly focused on just one thing that didn't go as I planned or because someone did not meet my expectations.

I hope that I never let a day go by without glimpsing a touch of joy in it and crying out to God with gladness.

Risen Christ, may the joyfulness of this Easter season find a home in my heart.

Joyce Rupp.

PRAYER GROUP
The contemplative prayer group will meet on Monday at 8.15pm in the Parochial House. Newcomers very welcome.

PRAY FOR PRIESTS

This week we ask you to pray for:

Fr. Patrick O'Hagan PP, Moville, 25 April
Fr. David O'Kane PP, Claudy, 26 April
Fr. Patrick O'Kane PP, Ballymagroarty, 27 April
Fr. Peter O'Kane CC, Rome 28 April
Fr. Seamus O'Kane, 29 April
Fr. Arthur O'Reilly CC, Banagher, 30 April

ANNIVERSARIES

Patsy Dunnion, Patsy McLaughlin

Gerald Doran, Josephine McDermott

Mary Ann Mullin, Michael Hannigan

Molly Hannigan, Carmel McBride, Declan McGinnis

PARISH ENVELOPES
The new boxes of parish envelopes have now been distributed. The parish envelope weekly collection is the main source of income for our parish and it is vital that as many as possible use them. If it has not been your custom to use the weekly envelopes why not begin this year? If you would like a box of envelopes please contact the parish office, Tel., 02871882215.

GIFT AID
Gift Aid is a very simple method of helping the parish financially. If you are using a parish envelope and pay tax, for every £1 you pay to the Church, if you are in the scheme, the Church recoups 25p. There are no hidden snags and it doesn't interfere whatsoever with any other financial arrangements you may have. If you would like to contribute to the Gift Aid Scheme please contact the parish office, Tel., 02871882215.

PARISH DRAW
The Draw for the month of April will take place in the parish office on Thursday 29 April at 2.30pm. There will also be an Extra Draw for all those who are fully paid for the year. Promoters are asked to bring their returns to the parish office on Monday 26 April.

SICK AND HOUSEBOUND TO BE ATTENDED
Fr. Boland will visit the sick and housebound in the following areas on

Monday 26 April after 10.00am Mass: Courtrai Park, Barrack Street, Lower Townsend Terrace, Mount Carmel Heights, Springhill Park, Mill Street, Newtownkennedy Street, Lower Main Street, Glenview Park, Church View, Patrick Street and Tristan Road.

Fr. Boland will visit the sick and housebound in the following areas on Thursday 29 April after 10.00am Mass: Bearney Road, Camus Road, Conthem Road, Upper Townsend Street, Townsend Terrace, Marian Park, Fountain Street and Innisfree Gardens.

BLESSING OF GRAVES

The annual ceremony of the blessing of graves for the parish will be held on

Sunday 6 June at 3.00pm.

CONFIRMATION FIRST HOLY COMMUNION AND FIRST CONFESSIONS

Confirmation for all P.7 pupils will take place in the parish on Saturday 8 May at 11.00am
First Holy Communion for all P.4 pupils will take place in the parish on Saturday 29 May at 11.00am.

First Confessions will take place on Wednesday 12 May at 7.00pm.

LOURDES 2010
The next meeting of the Lourdes Group will take place in 'The Den' on Wednesday 28 April at 7.30pm.

ARDS FRIARY RETREAT
Friday 7 May – Thursday 13 May Open Retreat (Open to Everyone). Directed by Fr. Owen O’Sullivan OFM Capuchin. Theme: "Come apart to a desert place and rest awhile." Revisit some basics of the Christian faith in an atmosphere of beauty and calm.
Commences 6.00pm. Concludes after breakfast. Cost €390. Contact Ards Friary (00353)0749138909 or email info@ardsfriary.ie

THE YARD PROJECT
'Is someone else’s drinking or drug-taking causing you problems? Are you aged 15–19? Are you feeling isolated and want to talk about what’s happening in your life? ‘Bottled-up’ is a place where you don’t need to bottle it up. It’s a chance for you to meet other young people in your position, share your experiences and enjoy fun activities such as circus skills training and multimedia workshops. ‘Bottled Up’ Saturday 8 May 10.00am – 6.00pm, The YARD Project, Columba House, 11 Queen St, Derry. For further information and to book contact us on 02871269113 or email theyardproject@btinternet.com

YOUTHLIFE
Helping bereaved young people. Growing Through Change Weekend Residential will take place in the Residential Centre, Omagh Folk Park from Friday 30 April - Sunday 2 May. For information contact Youthlife, Bishop Street, Derry on 71377227 or email youthlife be@hotmail.com www.youthlife.btik.com

STRABANE & DISTRICT MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS SOCIETY
Annual AGM will be held on Wednesday 28 April at 7.30pm at Unit 3, Orchard Road Industrial Estate. Guest Speaker on the night. Everyone welcome.

FOUNTAIN ST COMMUNITY CENTRE
Bingo at Fountain St Community Centre on Sunday 25 April at 7.00pm sharp. Admission £3.00. Thank you to all those who made donations. Lots of fun and prizes to be won! All ages welcome!

STRABANE & DISTRICT CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU
Strabane & District Citizens Advice Bureau, with funding from the Neighbourhood Renewal Programme, is rolling out a new project which aims to maximise the income of residents in Neighbourhood Renewal areas through a benefit uptake project. The project will target households in Ballycolman, Carlton Drive, Lisnafin, Fountain Street and Springhill Park and will identify any additional benefit or assistance that households can receive. If you live in one of the mentioned Neighbourhood Renewal Areas and would like to take up the offer of a benefit entitlement check please contact us on 02871384241.

CHILDREN IN CROSSFIRE
Children in Crossfire are recruiting 20 enthusiastic individuals to join them for the 25th Budapest Half Marathon on 5 September 2010. A deposit of £150 is requested and minimum sponsorship applies. This is an inclusive package. Contact Sarah on 02871269898 or email events@childrenincrossfire.org .

NOTICES FOR PARISH BULLETIN
In order to facilitate printing we ask that all notices and anniversaries for the parish bulletin are either given to the sacristan or left at the parish office by Wednesday morning at the latest.

PAYMENTS BY CHEQUE
The Bank have reminded us that all payments made to the parish by cheque (for Parish Draw, Sunday and Special Collections, etc.) must be made payable to Church of the Immaculate Conception.

PLEASE NOTE: All payments for St. Patrick's Hall should also be made payable to Church of the Immaculate Conception.

ST. PATRICK’S HALL

Bingo and Lucky 4 Draw as usual this Thursday.
All our patrons are very welcome.

LUCKY 4 DRAW
There were 2 match 3 winners in last week's Draw
Ella Rose Wray
Rose Houston

The numbers drawn were:
5, 13, 17, 18
Next Week's Lucky 4 Jackpot is £2250.00

STRICTLY COME DANCING

The 3rd Annual Strictly Come Dancing will take place on Friday 30 April in St. Patrick's Hall. Doors open at 8.30pm. Show starts at 9.30pm. Dancing afterwards to 'Private Eye' until 1.30am. Admission £8.00. Limited number of tickets available.

THANK YOU

We gratefully acknowledge the proceeds from the
Ceili which was held in St. Patrick's Hall last Sunday.

PRAYER CORNER

PRAYER FOR THE CHURCH IN IRELAND
God of our fathers,
renew us in the faith which is our life and salvation,
the hope which promises forgiveness and interior renewal, the charity which purifies and opens our hearts to love you, each of our brothers and sisters.

Lord Jesus Christ,
may the Church in Ireland renew her age-old commitment to the education of our young people in the way of truth and goodness,
holiness and generous service to society.

Holy Spirit, comforter, advocate and guide,
inspire a new springtime of holiness and apostolic zeal for the Church in Ireland.

May our sorrow and our tears,
our sincere effort to redress past wrongs,
and our firm purpose of amendment
bear an abundant harvest of grace
for the deepening of the faith
in our families, parishes, schools and communities,
for the spiritual progress of Irish society,
and the growth of charity, justice, joy and peace
within the whole human family.